TJELLAHANGA MALE
Archives: 2004 || 2005 || 2006 || 2007 || 2008
| TJELLAHANGA MALE Archives: 2004 || 2005 || 2006 || 2007 || 2008
|
| December 2005 CHELLAHANGA MALE he battle still rages between this leopard and the Hlarulini male, but also the Rock Drift male, for the occupation of the particularly favourable habitat of Charleston . For this reason this leopard, now in his prime, was seen mainly marking his territory in these areas and occasionally hunting. Probably one of the most memorable sightings of the month included this male and the Rollercoaster female providing guests with a rare glimpse into the private lives of leopards as they were seen mating on south western Charleston. November 2005 CHELLAHANGA MALE The sightings of the Chellahanga Male in November were over quite a large area, and evidence suggests that he is pushing further north and west, possibly claiming some of the land that has been considered Hlarulini Male territory in recent months. The Chellahanga Male was not seen to make any kills in November, but when seen he was in good condition, and sometimes looked very well fed. On only one occasion was he seen in the company of another leopard, that being the Hlarulini Male. No major hostile interaction was witnessed, and it seems that the Chellahanga Male merely followed the Hlarulini Male for a short distance, before the two went their separate ways. October 2005 CHELLAHANGA MALE Like most of the leopards on the property, the Chellahanga Male ate well in October. These very dry conditions favour the predator that is prepared to be patient and wait in the vicinity of the precious few water holes. Apart from panting in discomfort after eating too much on a hot day, the Chellahanga Male was twice seen in the company of the Rollercoaster Female. She flirted with him, and followed him around, but he did not go so far as to mate with her – at least, not while game drive vehicles were present. September 2005 CHELLAHANGA MALE Both at the beginning and at the end of this game report period, the Chellahanga Male was seen to take up the challenge of engaging his arch-rival, the Hlarulini Male, in conflict. No fighting was witnessed, and no real victor emerged, but there was a perception that the body language of the Chellahanga Male exudes more confidence than that of the older Hlarulini Male. Each of these leopards, of course, has a well-established territory, and the clashes predictably took place on the boundary between their territories. Most other sightings of the Chellahanga Male were without drama, but suggest that he has a good part of eastern Charleston under his control. August 2005 CHELLAHANGA MALE The Chellahanga Male spent more of his time to the south of the Sand River on Toulon , rather than along the Chellahanga on Charleston . Perhaps this was because he felt a greater need to focus on his rivalry with the Hlarulini Male than his rivalry with the Rock Drift Male. All territorial male leopards of course have more than one rival, and they need to patrol all their boundaries and spend time in various parts of their territories, if they want to avoid losing ground. Apart from his interactions with the Hlarulini Male, the Chellahanga Male was also seen to be close to the Rollercoaster Female on one occasion. The male leopard was very well fed, and it is quite likely that they had “shared” a kill. No mating activity was witnessed, but the Rollercoaster Female did seem quite interested in the male.
July 2005 CHELLAHANGA MALE July was an interesting month for the Chellahanga Male, for although he was only seen on six occasions, there was enough evidence to show that he is a capable and strong territorial male leopard, and he was willing to take on the smaller but more experienced Rock Drift Male. Although there is often no clear-cut “winner” in a territorial clash between two male leopards, it certainly appeared that the Chellahanga Male was the more confident individual on this occasion, and seemed to have the upper hand. June 2005 CHELLAHANGA MALE Although he was seen on eight occasions during this game report period, the Chellahanga Male was not seen to do anything particularly dramatic. What is significant, however, is that the majority of sightings were on Toulon. Only once was he seen near the Chellahanga (the dry tributary of the Sand River, after which this leopard was named). It does therefore seem very likely that the Chellahanga Male has come off second best in any encounters he may have recently had with the very experienced Rock Drift Male. Another possibility, of course, is that the Chellahanga Male has ousted some other male leopard whose territory was in the Kruger Park, south or east of Mala Mala’s limits. May 2005 CHELLAHANGA MALE In contrast to previous months, when he was sighted quite regularly, there were only two days in May when the Chellahanga Male was seen. On both occasions, he was on Toulon, to the south of the Sand River. This does not, of course, mean that he spent no time on eastern Charleston. It merely means that his path did not cross with that of any Land Rover on Charleston! It is possible, however, that he had the odd hostile encounter with the Rock Drift Male, and that he came off second to the more experienced Rock Drift Male. This is pure speculation. April 2005 CHELLAHANGA MALE Once again, the Chellahanga Male had a sexually active month, mating with two different female leopards, namely the Toulon Female and the Harry’s Female. Apart from that, he was mainly seen on territorial patrols, and was once seen with a large, fresh gash between the eyes. It is not known what animal had inflicted this wound on him. Late in the month, he was seen with an impala kill in a tree, along the lower reaches of the Chellahanga River. March 2005 CHELLAHANGA MALE Location: EASTERN & CENTRAL CHARLESTON / CENTRAL
TOULON Of all the known territorial male leopards on Mala Mala, the Chellahanga Male seems to be the busiest. He was seen on just five days in March, but on four of these days, he was mating. Twice he was seen mating with the Toulon Female, and twice with the Harry’s Female. Both of these female leopards have been around for a long time, and that they should choose the Chellahanga Male as a mate is perhaps significant. He is still young, but he is clearly confident. If he does not meet an untimely end, he could prove to be one of Mala Mala’s stalwarts, like the Rock Drift Male in recent years, and old favourites like the Mlowathi Male, Jakkalsdraai Male and Flockfield Male of a decade and more ago. February 2005 CHELLAHANGA MALE Location: EASTERN & CENTRAL CHARLESTON / CENTRAL
TOULON February was a good month for the Chellahanga Male, a leopard whose territory seems to be growing. He was seen to pursue and kill a fair-sized warthog on southern Toulon, and for a couple of days fed on the carcass in a large jackalberry tree. On another occasion, he chased after a female leopard, but the sighting did not last long. For the most part, he did what is typically expected of an up-and-coming territorial male leopard. January2005 CHELLAHANGA MALE Location: EASTERN & CENTRAL
CHARLESTON / CENTRAL TOULON The Chellahanga Male is almost invariably an exciting male leopard to watch, and this was again the case in January. He was seen mating with a female leopard in the lower reaches of the Chellahanga system early in the month. He was seen to use similar routes to the Hlarulini Male on a couple of occasions, and he was seen to aggressively chase the Jakkalsdraai Female up and down trees on northern Charleston. Probably somewhat younger than the Hlarulini Male, the Chellahanga Male could have a bright future.
Copyright © Rattray Reserves |
